20 arrested over deadly protest in FIDEI Polytechnic, Gboko

Written By Idoma Television on Wednesday, August 24, 2016 | 1:32:00 PM

The Benue State Police Public Relations’ Officer, ASP
Moses Yamu has comfirmed the arrest of 20 persons in connection with the deadly crisis that erupted at the Fidei Polytechinic, Gboko, Benue State on Wednesday.

While reacting to the incident, Yamu said, “Miscreants and students overpowered policemen during a
peaceful protest in the school, injured two police officers and damaged
six vehicles, one belonging to the police.”

Yamu said 21 persons have been arrested so far.IDOMA VOICE reports that FIDEI Polytechnic Gboko in Benue State was, on Wednesday, shut down
indefinitely following alleged killing of two students and two police
officers by suspected group of thugs known as ‘SHAWA.’

The two
students were killed and another hospitalized, while property belonging
to the institution were also destroyed during the crisis that broke out
early Tuesday and Wednesday Evening at the polytechnic.

FIDEI polytechnic is owned by Rev. Fr. Chris Utov of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi.

An eye witness, Terfa Guum, told our correspondent on the phone that
the affected property include the bakery, bursary, the ranch and pen
house.

SHAWA thugs allegedly invaded the institution to dislodge
some students who were protesting peacefully over their exclusion from
the ongoing second semester examinations. Guum said trouble started when final year students who were owing tuition were barred from writing the examination.

“This made the students to stage a peaceful protest,” Guum said.
He said that immediately the protest commenced, policemen stormed the
school premises, shooting tear gas and shooting sporadically. Guum said, “In the process, a student was hit on the chest and died instantly, while another died in the hospital.”

The institution’s authority subsequently cancelled the examination. Angered by this, the students allegedly regrouped and embarked on massive destruction of the school’s property.
When contacted, the Rector of the institution, Ugo Abah, said he was on
his way to the Police headquarters, Makurdi, to make a formal
complaint.

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